Local Things for Local People

Companions’ Bread Club is held the first Saturday of every month from 10am at their bakery on Mill Street. Relaxed and informal, it’s basically, a coffee morning themed around bread! Membership is just £5 a year which allows the use of Companions’ bread oven by arrangement; then £1 per meeting to cover refreshments. “Each session is different,” explained Companions Real…

It’s hard to imagine Bedford without its much-loved Arcadia Sweet Shop. Nothing quite compares to the sweet, tantalising scent that hits you the moment you set foot in the door, or the abundance of jarred sweets stacked higher than you could ever reach. All of your old favourites: Sherbet Lemons, Rhubarb and Custards, Army and…

On Friday 19th February, the newly rebranded visitor centre at Eagle Brewery in Queens Park was unveiled. The former home of Charles Wells is now owned by established brewer, Marstons who will continue to brew Eagle IPA and Bombardier alongside their other ales. The iconic Bedford eagle has been reimagined by Ampthill-based creative agency, Bonfire,…

2018 is an important year for women, marking 100 years since the suffrage movement won the right to vote. A high-profile national campaign focuses mainly on our cities, but Bedford is one of the towns leading the way with a year of events and activities to highlight our town’s key role in the movement. Local group,…

As we’ve been reporting for the last few months, it’s been all change in the old Arcade. New shops have sprung up, other tenants have moved out and existing businesses have expanded. One of the most spectacular shops has to be Seventh Heaven Bespoke Cake Company. Its jaw-dropping window display of lovingly hand-made and beautifully…

When it opened its doors at the end of October 2017, Rollback World became the newest addition to Bedford’s Church Arcade. Selling skateboards, rollerskates, scooters and BMXs, it’s the shop you wish had been open when you were a teenager, so if you’re currently a teenager, count yourself lucky… “We’d been running Rollback World events…

Former PR consultant, Isabel Kelly, launched the Wardrobe Edit in Bedford earlier this year. The concept is simple: Isabel offers style advice to busy clients, keen to streamline their existing clothes, while adding some carefully curated wardrobe essentials. “I’ve unofficially been a stylist for the last 15 – 20 years, helping friends with fashion advice…

Bluebird Hair Boutique spreads its wings Based on Harpur Street, Bluebird Hair Boutique is expanding into the adjacent property (formerly Thrift’ee/Coolhaus) this month. The new space will feature a six-station cutting room, three-station colour bar plus relaxation/washroom and a private treatment room. “We can’t wait to begin using the new salon space,” said Bluebird owner,…

Christmas in Bedford officially began on Thursday 23rd November when Santa arrived to switch on the lights, followed by the annual jaw-dropping fireworks display on the Embankment. The festive season is now in full swing, so here’s our cultural round-up of what’s on this December and January. Panto time! From 27th December – 1st January…

By Stephen Bywater The Knife and Cleaver is your smart gastro-pub: trad yet modern, quirky yet familiar, hip yet at ease with itself. Locals line the polished bar and there’s the scent of aftershave and ale. In the dining area, with its hint of a gentleman’s club, there are couples and fours and sixes, spread…